Taunton is the only surviving jump meeting today following the abandonment of Ludlow due to snow. Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Today's best bets, by Will Hayler

Congratulations to William Buick, who has been appointed as first jockey to John Gosden after the Newmarket trainer's split with Jimmy Fortune. I was able to speak to Fortune last night, who still seemed in a bit of a state of shock about it all having been given the news by his boss only a few hours earlier, but he was determined to be upbeat about the situation and that attitude will surely help him to find new opportunities.

Year on year, Fortune's strike-rate for Gosden has considerably exceeded his overall record, and his no-nonsense riding style has made him popular with punters.

I'm not expecting to become too popular by napping a 1-5 chance today, although in my defence when I looked at the early betting for today's 1.30 at Taunton last night – Ghizao (1.30) was trading at around the 2-5 mark and I thought I might even consider backing him if he remained at that sort of price.

He was a leading candidate for Sandown's Tolworth Hurdle until that race fell to the weather and down at this lowly level, this talented six-year-old looks to have an easy task on his plate. Connections felt he may have been in front soon enough when second to General Miller last time and it would be no surprise to see him given the typical treatment by Timmy Murphy and held up to make a delayed challenge.

Rather than making cheap jokes about Harry Skelton riding Escort'men in the opener at Taunton, I'll give a mention to Benfleet Boy (3.00), who looks a fair each-way price at around 12-1. He was staying on steadily and wouldn't have been far away in the void race at Doncaster last month and then fared quite well when fifth at Kempton last time. I wonder whether more positive tactics might pay dividends.

Handsinthemist (1.20) is another selection whose odds have noticeably shortened since betting opened on Betfair last night, but I still think there is value to be found at 4-1 with Ladbrokes and William Hill.

She picked up a couple of events over course and distance off a similar mark last season and shaped as if she was right on the way back to form when third to Thoughtsofstardom last time. Just as importantly, her trainer Paul Midgley has been in sensational form in recent days with three of his five runners last week winning.

She's no world-beater, but she's tough and largely consistent – a comment which cannot be applied to this race's favourite Lujiana – and I'd be surprised if she is far away at the finish.

Tipping competition, day four

Our competition was sullied yesterday by the introduction of all-weather action, made necessary by the abandonment of Newbury. Still, Brochdoll won't be complaining after being fired to the top by 8-1 Lingfield winner Mister Green!

This week's prize is a copy of Eclipse by Nicholas Clee, the much-praised story of one of the most brilliant racehorses in the history of our sport. It's "the story of a rank outsider who went on to become a national celebrity; and of the horse that became a national icon, and whose influence is transcendent 200 years later," says the blurb.

As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not yet joined in, you are welcome to do so today, but you must start on -9.